MacDill AFB
Tampa, Florida · Air Force
MacDill AFB sits on a peninsula in Tampa Bay — headquarters of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM).
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Quick reference: 2026 BAH rates at MacDill AFB
For 2026, BAH rates at MacDill AFB (Tampa, FL MHA) are: E-4 with dependents: $2,520/mo · E-5 without dependents: $2,187/mo · E-5 with dependents: $2,709/mo · E-6 with dependents: $3,042/mo · E-7 with dependents: $3,066/mo · O-3 with dependents: $3,081/mo. BAH is excluded from federal taxable income. Full rates for all pay grades are in the table below.
Showing E-5 with dependents for the Tampa, FL MHA.
Year over year: No change vs 2025
How This Market Compares
MacDill AFB BAH for an E-5 with dependents is $2,709/month — $648/month above the national median of $2,061. That ranks the Tampa, FL MHA 71st-highest of the 338 military housing areas tracked nationwide (top 21%) for the E-5 with-dependents rate.
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$2,709/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. national median
+$648/mo
BAH vs. Local Rent
Across this area, 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent runs about $1,848–$2,220 (median $2,030).
E-5 w/dep BAH
$2,709/mo
2BR rent (HUD FMR, FY2026)
$2,030 median
$1,848–$2,220 range
The 2026 BAH for E-5 with dependents ($2,709) is above the area's 75th-percentile 2-bedroom rent — it covers a 2-bedroom across most of this area.
BAH is designed to cover about 95% of typical local housing costs — rent plus utilities — for a member's pay grade and dependency status, leaving a roughly 5% member cost share.
2-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD, FY2026). 2-bedroom is the reference point closest to junior- and mid-grade housing; larger households and senior grades typically need more space. Rent figures are HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents matched to this installation's Military Housing Area by ZIP code. MHA boundaries and HUD rent areas don't align perfectly, so these are area-level reference figures, not a personalized rent estimate. FMR is a gross-rent figure that includes tenant-paid utilities — the same basis BAH is built on.
How MacDill AFB BAH is set
BAH is set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not by your specific ZIP code or neighborhood. MacDill AFB falls in the Tampa, FL MHA — every installation and address in that MHA receives the same rate for a given pay grade and dependency status, so multiple bases can share one rate.
For 2026, the E-5 with-dependents rate at MacDill AFB is unchanged from 2025's $2,709/month. That's below the national average BAH increase of 4.2% for 2026.
Some pay grades at MacDill AFB decreased for 2026 compared with 2025. Under individual rate protection, service members who have remained at this duty station with the same pay grade and dependency status keep their higher prior-year rate. The lower 2026 rate applies to members who arrive at this location or whose dependency status changes in 2026.
2026 BAH Rates — Tampa, FL
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $2,520/mo·E-5 w/dep: $2,709/mo·E-6 w/dep: $3,042/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $2,520▼ −$3 (0.1%) | $1,932▼ −$12 (0.6%) |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $2,520▼ −$3 (0.1%) | $1,932▼ −$12 (0.6%) |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $2,520▼ −$3 (0.1%) | $1,932▼ −$12 (0.6%) |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $2,520▼ −$3 (0.1%) | $1,932▼ −$12 (0.6%) |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $2,709No change | $2,187▼ −$9 (0.4%) |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $3,042▲ +$18 (0.6%) | $2,346▼ −$6 (0.3%) |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $3,066▲ +$21 (0.7%) | $2,526▼ −$3 (0.1%) |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $3,075▲ +$21 (0.7%) | $2,781▲ +$3 (0.1%) |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $3,123▲ +$48 (1.6%) | $2,874▲ +$12 (0.4%) |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $3,063▲ +$21 (0.7%) | $2,463▼ −$6 (0.2%) |
| W-2 (CW2) | $3,072▲ +$21 (0.7%) | $2,778▲ +$3 (0.1%) |
| W-3 (CW3) | $3,084▲ +$21 (0.7%) | $2,886▲ +$12 (0.4%) |
| W-4 (CW4) | $3,141▲ +$45 (1.5%) | $3,039▲ +$21 (0.7%) |
| W-5 (CW5) | $3,231▲ +$54 (1.7%) | $3,054▲ +$27 (0.9%) |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $3,069▲ +$21 (0.7%) | $2,706No change |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $3,078▲ +$21 (0.7%) | $2,853▲ +$9 (0.3%) |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $3,156▲ +$51 (1.6%) | $3,036▲ +$21 (0.7%) |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $2,757▲ +$3 (0.1%) | $2,328▼ −$6 (0.3%) |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $3,039▲ +$18 (0.6%) | $2,649▼ −$3 (0.1%) |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $3,081▲ +$21 (0.7%) | $2,919▲ +$12 (0.4%) |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $3,255▲ +$54 (1.7%) | $3,042▲ +$21 (0.7%) |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $3,390▲ +$69 (2.1%) | $3,057▲ +$27 (0.9%) |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $3,417▲ +$66 (2.0%) | $3,060▲ +$27 (0.9%) |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $3,441▲ +$63 (1.9%) | $3,102▲ +$36 (1.2%) |
O-8, O-9, and O-10 receive the same BAH as O-7. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
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Florida has no state income tax on military pay. BAH and BAS are also excluded from federal taxable income.
Rent and cost figures on this page are approximate and provided for informational and educational purposes only. They reflect market estimates at time of publication and may not reflect current conditions. This is not financial, tax, or housing advice. Always verify figures independently and consult a qualified professional before making financial commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents at MacDill AFB?
For 2026, an E-5 with dependents at MacDill AFB receives $2,709/month in BAH (Tampa, FL MHA). Other grades with dependents: E-6 $3,042/month, E-7 $3,066/month, O-3 $3,081/month. E-5 without dependents is $2,187/month. BAH is excluded from federal taxable income.
Which Military Housing Area (MHA) is used for MacDill AFB BAH?
MacDill AFB is assigned to the Tampa, FL Military Housing Area (MHA). Every installation and address in the same MHA receives the same rate, regardless of exact ZIP or neighborhood. Rates are published annually by the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) and take effect January 1.
How much did MacDill AFB BAH change from 2025 to 2026?
For 2026, the E-5 with-dependents rate at MacDill AFB is unchanged from 2025's $2,709/month. That's below the national average BAH increase of 4.2% for 2026. Rate protection means a member who stays at the same location with the same dependency status keeps their rate even if the published table rate falls.
Does MacDill AFB BAH depend on my exact ZIP code?
No. BAH is set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not by your specific ZIP or neighborhood. MacDill AFB falls in the Tampa, FL MHA, so every ZIP in that area receives the identical rate for a given pay grade and dependency status.
How does MacDill AFB BAH compare with nearby installations?
Nearby installations have their own MHA rates. For an E-5 with dependents: Eglin AFB is $276/month lower, Patrick Space Force Base is $207/month lower, and Naval Air Station Pensacola is $846/month lower — compared with MacDill AFB's $2,709/month.
How does BAH at MacDill AFB compare with local rent?
For 2026, an E-5 with dependents at MacDill AFB receives $2,709/month in BAH. Across the Tampa, FL area, 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD, FY2026) runs about $1,848–$2,220 (median $2,030). The 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents ($2,709) is above the area's 75th-percentile 2-bedroom rent — it covers a 2-bedroom across most of this area. BAH is designed to cover about 95% of typical local housing costs — rent plus utilities — for a member's pay grade and dependency status.
Is BAH taxable for service members stationed at MacDill AFB?
No. BAH is excluded from federal taxable income under the Military Pay Tax Exclusion. Most states also exempt BAH from state income tax, though treatment varies by state. Service members keep the full dollar value of their housing allowance.
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Data Source & Disclaimer
BAH rates are from the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) 2026 BAH data, effective January 1, 2026. Rates are set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not individual ZIP code — all ZIPs in the same MHA receive identical rates. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with DoD, DTMO, or any government agency. Verify your entitlement at travel.dod.mil.